How to Construct a Fishbone Diagram
Fishbone diagrams, also known as cause and effect diagrams or Ishikawa diagrams, are essentially brainstorming maps. They are used to sort through various solutions and thoughts pertaining to a specific problem or topic. Fishbone diagrams got their nickname because the finished diagram looks much like a fish skeleton. Constructing a fishbone diagram is generally easy if you understand the specific problem or topic that you are mapping out.
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Instructions
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Identify the problem or topic that you wish to expand upon. Write the problem or topic down in its entirety on a piece of paper that is arranged horizontally, on the far left hand side near the center of the edge. Draw a square around the problem/topic. This is the head of the "fish."
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Use a ruler or straight edge to create a straight line that runs from left to right, starting at the "fish head." This is the "spine."
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Think of any contributing or telling factors about the main problem or topic and create a small line that protrudes for the "spine" for each factor. Label these "ribs."
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Pinpoint any contributing or telling factors that are related to the ones labeled on the "ribs," and create a new line off of each rib to label them. These are the "bones."
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Analyze the diagram to see what you have learned. The exercise of constructing the fishbone diagram forces you to break down individual causes and effects of the bigger aspects that contribute to the problem. The organized brainstorming map should allow you to easier eliminate problems or solve anything unknown about the topic.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit fish image by Alex White from Fotolia.com
